Generosity, empathy and a commitment to action by our students, staff and parent body ensured Friday was successful in many ways. We discussed our environment and what droughts are, we talked about supporting each other and how small actions can make a difference in our world.

To this end, our “Adopt A Farmer” ambassadors will now take a cheque of an amazing effort by all of to Dubbo to support the local community. The cash donation of $1,200 was generous and will be heartfelt by the local community. As important as money though is the cheque as a symbol of people caring for each other. I especially thank every family for your support of this message to young people and thank everyone for your support.  

Congratulations to Audrey Wolff, Van Myroniuk, Kayla Wallace and Safiyyah Gainey who all won movie passes for their efforts in the Adopt a Farmer classroom activity on Friday.

I share a graph outlining the issues for NSW. This was the situation at the start of 2019 and the conditions have in fact become more drastic as this year has gone on!

This support to NSW comes on top of our student leaders and Young Vinnies Teams over the last few years supporting local people in this region touched by bush fires, homelessness, various health conditions and practical help to the St. Vincent de Paul local holiday house in Japan Street. This Friday we will all also attend a special mass of support community via the St. Vincent de Paul “Good Works Program".

I love the quote from Oscar Romero; “Aspire not to have more but to BE more”, your children and our students take this message on daily. We should all be very proud of this aspiration; while no one is perfect we can all try.

A practical aspect of our students striving of “being more” was evident in this message I received on Friday after our student’s (Grades 6, 4 and 2) participation in the Deakin University Health. I share as a reflection of the caring respectful culture we all are trying to build at St. Joseph’s.

We are just wanting to share with you the delightful experience we have had within your school this week (Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th June 2019). The team and I from Deakin (Bridget, Beau and Ashlea) have had a fantastic time with your fabulous staff and students.  We typically visit between 60-150 primary schools each year across Victoria and your students are among the most polite, happiest, friendly, well behaved and welcoming students we come across!  Additionally, the staff were all very friendly, welcoming, accommodating, offering many cups of tea and have been very receptive to our presence and subsequent classroom disruption(s).  I often feel you can tell the culture of a school by the students, the staffroom, and in your case, all come across as very happy, collaborative, cohesive and positive – this can be very rare and you should feel very proud. Deakin Team, Program Coordinator, Claudia Strugnell.

Confirmation

Students and families celebrated last week and over the weekend our confirmation. I especially thank everyone for your commitment to the family focused, parish-based and school supported program. Parents having time to talk with young people about faith, life and values is indeed a sacred moment in family relationships.

Student and School Safety

Security Fencing: As mentioned in previous newsletters we are replacing the old fencing around the school, this includes the full property perimeter, appropriate access gates for foot traffic and managed vehicle access. The works are planned for the Term Two break.

Important Student Health “the flu”

I share important health advice from the School Health website. Influenza, or 'the flu', commonly cause symptoms such as high fever, dry cough, muscle ache and fatigue. Less common symptoms include sore throat and a runny nose. Children may also have abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. It spreads from person to person through droplets in the air.  Flu does have an exclusion period; Students should be withheld from school until all symptoms cease.

Further Influenza (flu) is a very contagious viral infection of the respiratory system. Most children are ill with the flu for less than a week. Flu vaccines are currently available as a priority for young people and the elderly, please consult your GP for specific family health advice.

St. Joseph’s have recently had 2 confirmed cases of flu, if you are unsure of the symptoms please consult with your GP and if confirmed the requirement is to keep children home until symptoms cease.

 Yours sincerely, Michael Gray, Principal